out and about and around the house

There has been a lot going on here as usual. A house full of kiddos, a precious hubby and a casa to maintain keeps a gal on her toes. Though I must say, today was so nice and relaxing. Nana came over and kept the boys this morning while Jeffrey and I were finalizing our will. Such a strange thing to do. Anyway, after that was over, I got to go shopping AND browse. Browse. That's right. I actually got to wade thru all of the racks, one article at a time, look at them, and decide if I liked them or not. I could decide what accessories might look nice with what I chose. I got to think about shoes I would wear with said outfit, AND then got to look at shoes! Boots, heels, flats. All of them. I didn't have anyone rushing me, or asking for a snack, or when we would be done, or crying, or spitting up, or...you understand. It was glorious. I was so thankful to get just a few hours alone. It was really good for the mental health, ya know? I haven't really had an hour alone in over 2 months. SO. THANKFUL! Nana, you are soooo appreciated, I hope you know that!

Here are a few pics of the goings-on over the last couple days. Love these guys! Aren't they cutie pies? Oh, I do believe so!

with change comes a new look...

So, I don't think it would be possible for someone to be more ready for fall. I mean really, how much hot weather does one person really need? I'm thinking only of falling red, orange and brown leaves, a crisp feeling in the breeze, that change in the way the light shines from the sun. Boots, sweaters and a scarf. Maybe even the smell of pumpkin pie. Mmmmm...these are all things that I love. Fall. What a wonderful time of year. Oh how I miss you fall. I eagerly await your precious arrival. In honor of this blessed season's arrival shortly, a new look for the blog. I can't wait to see what this fall will hold for our family. Joel will likely be rolling over, cooing and hopefully be outgrowing his need for reflux medication. Kayleigh will be rounding out her first semester in first grade (whoa!) and Ethan will no doubt have figured out how to climb on the roof! Stinker!

You know, when you think about it, fall is really all about change. Everything changes. The scenery changes, activities change etc.. The kids are always growing and changing into the adults they will someday become, I'm hopefully becoming more the wife and mommy my family needs and it is all happening so quickly we hardly see it happening. I pray I can stop and treasure these changes as they are happening. It's hard to want to treasure screaming babies or arguments, 3 a.m. feedings, dirty diapers and never getting it all together. But these are the things that, in this season, the Lord is guiding for a purpose. He is giving me these times for a very specific reason. I pray I have the wisdom to ask for His grace to guide me through the not-so-fun times and the thankful heart to appreciate His goodness in the good times.

Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8

kayleigh's first day of 1st grade

Kayleigh has finished her first week of school and has had a great time! She loves her teacher, Mrs, Sample, and has already had her first spelling test, which she got a 104 on! So proud of that little lady! Here's a couple pics from Monday.

*disclaimer: please ignore our shameful, neglected flowerbeds. They've received little attention this summer. ;)

six weeks old

My tiny little love Joel is six weeks old and ten pounds. oh. my. word. How is this happening?! Make time stop!

It's been so busy around here lately. Joel has been put on reflux medicine just like Kayleigh had and has been switched to a sensitive soy formula. Since starting them, he has gradually been getting so much better. The days of fussing/shreaking all day seem to be somewhat behind us. Thank goodness. I thought I wouldn't survive when Kayleigh was going thru this same thing. Or that she wouldn't survive! I jest. Anyway, he is back to napping, cooing and the rash and massive projectile vomiting seem to be dissipating. Praise the Lord! Here's a snapshot Jeffrey took of him at six weeks!

Now, speaking of making time stop, Kayleigh starts 1st grade tomorrow! Whaaaat???? I know! She's so grown up! Have I mentioned lately how much I love this kid and how awesome she is? Well, in case I haven't, she totally is! I am so stinkin' proud of her and thankful for her sweet little self! I'll post some of her first day tomorrow!

keeping busy

So, I have discovered that the key to a chaos free home is keeping the kids busy. Kayleigh and Ethan have just got to stay busy! They have never fought with each other before Joel came on the scene, but now go at it like cats and dogs and are constantly in trouble. I guess it's true that even negative attention is still attention. We're figuring this whole thing out, but it's taking a while and a few good whoopin's. That rod of discipline is getting a workout! Sheesh! Anyway, here are a couple pictures of the 'staying busy' I was talking about. They're such stinkers, but precious little stinkers!

In the playroom under their sheet-tent.

Playing cowboy and rhinestone cowgirl. :)

Joel's 1 month old!

Sons are a heritage from the Lord!

What a difference a year makes...

*I wrote this post almost 6 months ago and never got around to finishing it. I thought since today was Joel's 1 month birthday, it would be appropriate to remember how the Lord took something so painful as the loss of an unborn child, and made it such a joy, as we now get to hold this precious little baby boy. Today was a pretty rough day with Joel, but even on those days, who would trade it?! I will post some pictures of his 1st month tomorrow, but for now, I want to be thankful and mindful of God's many blessings.*

Almost a year ago, Jeffrey and I lost our fourth child in a miscarriage at 10 weeks. To say our hearts were broken would be a gross understatement. But, just as in the case with our first miscarriage, the Lord remained faithful to heal our hearts and went above and beyond that to bless us with another little angel. After the first miscarriage we were blessed with little Ethan. God created such a unique and precious little guy in Ethan, so I can only imagine what our newest little boy will be like!

As I was getting dressed this morning, Kayleigh reminded me, "Momma, you wore that when Gigi took your picture when you were pregnant with the last baby!" She was totally right. How do these little people remember such little details like that? Anyway, here is a look back and a look toward the future! Oh, and I am now 24 weeks in the new picture. Times'a flyin'! July will be here before we know it!

cookies with kayleigh

Today Kayleigh and I made some Drop Sugar Cookies. They are soooo yummy! I got the recipe from our friend Meagan. I strongly suggest you make a batch! You won't be disappointed! Here's the recipe if you're interested. They're some of the easiest cookies I've ever made and take no time at all. These days, that's a really great thing! I'm slowly but surely finding things that both Kayleigh and Ethan love to do and we can do together to keep them occupied. I never had to do this before Joel got here, but this is our new normal, I suppose. They used to just play together for hours without fighting. It's kinda fun though in a way. It's forcing me to get creative! I'll post tomorrow what else we did today. Let's just say if the LARGE mess in the playroom is an indication of how much fun they were having, then mission accomplished!

Drop Sugar Cookies

2 eggs

3/4 c sugar

2/3 c oil

1 tsp lemon zest

2 tsp vanilla

2 c flour

2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

Mix eggs, sugar, oil, lemon, and vanilla. Stir in remaining ingredients.

Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto lightly greased cookie sheet. Slightly flatten with greased glass bottom dipped in sugar. (I spray a little cooking spray on the bottom of a glass and then dip in sugar. You may need to reapply cooking spray after 5-6 cookies.)

Bake at 375 degrees for 8-10 minutes.

First we mixed the dough...

Then we baked them...

And then we ate them! The best part!

See? Yummy!

posted by kayleigh grace johnston

I love this picture. I love Joel too, of course. Often Ethan wants to hold Joel too. Today is Sunday the 1 st of august I came home from Ruidoso. 15 & a half days till Nana comes home !

Joel is 2 weeks old in this first picture.